Vehicle Maintenance

  • Keeping the Road Rage Under Control

    man shouting out window

    Stress while driving is commonplace no matter where or when you’re driving. It’s very easy to become angry due to other drivers and even yourself, but it’s just as easy to avoid road rage and the stress altogether.

  • Keeping Your Emissions System in Check

    cars in the city

    Your emissions system is more important than you might realize. Even if emissions testing isn’t required in your area, there are multiple reasons to keep your emissions system in good working order. Here’s why, from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA.

  • Leaking Oil? Let's Get You Fixed Up!

    engine oil change image

    Are you leaking oil? Our technicians atPonci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA can help. Oil leaks not only mess up your driveway but also make a mess under the hood and cost big when it comes to related repairs and maintenance.  They can also cause serious inconvenient issues and are when best-taken care of immediately.   

  • Let's Get to The Basics of Your Transmission

    The hydraulic system in your transmission is responsible for telling the mechanical components what to do, and when to do it. In order to better understand how your transmission works, it’s important to understand the mechanical components of it.

  • Maintaining the Cooling System in Your Vehicle

    Your vehicle's cooling system is one of the most important systems in your vehicle. Inside your engine, spark plugs ignite the fuel within the cylinders to produce small explosions that propel your vehicle down the road. With small explosions comes scorching temperatures that can destroy your engine if not controlled. There are two types of cooling systems - liquid-cooled and air-cooled. 

  • Maintaining the Cooling System in Your Vehicle

    checking your a/c coolant

    Your vehicle's cooling system is one of the most important systems in your vehicle. Inside your engine, spark plugs ignite the fuel within the cylinders to produce small explosions that propel your vehicle down the road. With small explosions comes scorching temperatures that can destroy your engine if not controlled. There are two types of cooling systems - liquid-cooled and air-cooled. 

  • Maintaining Your Battery

    vehicle battery

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.

  • Maintenance Tips that Go the Extra Mile

    Mechanic holding checklist while checking on vehicle repairs

    Maintaining your car doesn't have to be a hassle, just bring it to our team here at Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna. We can take care of all the dirty work. However, it's important to know when you should get proper maintenance. Here are some quick tips and advice on the basics of car maintenance!

  • Make Your Vehicle Go The Extra Miles with Proper Maintenance

    mechanic working on a vehicle

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we know the key to making your vehicle last; good maintenance. An overwhelming percentage of the problems we see, especially the really catastrophic ones, are a result of poor maintenance. While properly maintaining a vehicle can seem like a bit of a hassle, it is absolutely worth the payoff. Good maintenance is the only difference between a car that lasts 80,000 miles and a car that lasts 400,000 miles. Preventative maintenance and repair when a problem occurs are your two concerns, and both will keep your car on the road far longer if observed properly.

  • Myths of Motor Oil

    Oil being poured into a vehicle

    Everyone from mechanics, to your uncle that works on cars, has at some point given you advice concerning engine oil. The fact of the matter is that while we are familiar with words like “synthetic” and “oil weight,” many people don’t know exactly what the terminology means, or why common knowledge about oil exists in the form that it does. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we keep things clear and simple. The more you know about your vehicle, the better equipped you are to keep it maintained, and we know a thing or two about vehicles. We have compiled a short list of common myths for you, most of which you’ve heard, but maybe never second guessed.

  • Need Of New Brake Pads?

    man driving

    Do you need new brake pads? Most of the time, if you think you do, the answer is yes. While a lot of auto parts stores sell brake pads with lifetime warranties, don’t be misled...brake pads will still wear down.

  • New Engine or New Car - Weighing Out Your Options

    Engine Maintenance

    You’ve determined it’s time to get rid of the engine you have, along with all of its issues. You’re probably considering getting something new altogether, and you’re tired of this one giving you issues. Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA is here to help you make the call.

    If your car, truck, or SUV has really been put through the wringer, it might be time for a new one. However, before you decide to throw in the towel there are a few things you should consider.

  • New Truck or New Engine - Exploring Your Diesel Options

    Diesel Truck

    You have determined your Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke engine needs to be replaced. You might be on the fence about whether you should replace the engine in your diesel, or just get a new truck. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we’re here to help.

  • Noticing an Emergency on your Dashboard

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

  • Only The Best Parts for Your Ride

    diesel truck driving down road with fall foliage

    Whether you drive a Chevy, Ram, or Ford diesel pickup, your truck is a quality engineered machine. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we honor that quality - not only in our service, but in the parts, we provide as well.

  • Out With the Old, In With the New or Used - Transmission Replacement Options

    Transmission

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, a big part of our job is helping you make decisions that are right for you, and your car, truck or SUV. When it comes to replacing a transmission there are a lot of options out there; we’re here to help you make the right choice.

  • Proper Maintenance for Your Transmission

    transmission

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we see a lot of the same mistakes that cause a transmission to fail. With our help, you can avoid a preventable transmission failure and keep your car reliably on the road.

  • Properly Maintaining Your Battery

    headlights

    Your car’s radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine. A vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used. This is where your car battery comes into play. The battery of your vehicle holds electrical energy while the car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you allow our team here at Ponci's Diesel Center to perform proper maintenance, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

  • Protect Your Exhaust from Damage

    The exhaust on your truck is an important series of components, that work together to ensure smooth, reliable operation. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, we also know that exhaust systems are especially susceptible to damage and rust; pipes, mufflers, and other parts are exposed to hazards on the road, and to the environment. This situation, combined with caustic emissions and extreme heat, creates a perfect opportunity for problems to arise.

  • Protect Your Vehicle From Transmission Shifting Issues

    gear shift on a vehicle

    If your transmission isn’t shifting correctly, you’ll want to be careful about how you choose to proceed. The best thing to do is turn the vehicle off and have a professional take a look at it, but if that isn’t an option, there are some steps you can take to ensure nothing gets damaged. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA we can take a look at your issues and also give you some tips on what to do when that option isn't available yet. 

  • Jasper Pref
  • Acdelco
  • Air Dog
  • Air Lift Tow and Haul
  • Auto Zone
  • BD Diesel
  • Bosch Automotive
  • Bully Dog
  • Cummins Diesel
  • Diablosport
  • Draw-Tite Hitches
  • Duramax Diesel
  • Dynomite Diesel
  • FASS
  • Ford Power Stroke Diesel
  • Industrial Injection
  • Magnaflow
  • MBRP
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • Reese Hitches
  • Superchips
  • Valvoline
  • 12 Month Warranty
  • Welding

Ponci's Diesel Center

770 S Fortuna Blvd
Fortuna, CA 95540
Get Directions

location small (800) 575-0229
Email the Shop

SHOP HOURS

We are now open on Fridays!
MON-THURS: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
FRI: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
WEEKENDS: CLOSED